In the aftermath, ice is the concern

As residents returned to a burned-out condominium complex on Monday, Mike Jones, a disaster assistant for the American Red Cross of Kent County, took their names and offered services. Many residents, who fled with only the clothes they were wearing, stayed overnight with family or friends. "One of the issues was, when can they get their vehicles out?" he said. Rescue vehicles blocked some, while others were coated with 2 inches of ice.

Stored memories

Jim Fodor III and his wife, Sue, thought of the birthday and baptism parties and other family celebrations held at his mother's home at Indian Village condominium. They thought of everything his 95-year-old mother, Marie, kept in her home of about 35 years. She moved to a senior center a year ago but left almost all her possessions in the condominium. "All of our family albums, all of our pictures," he said.The Fodors know many who lost everything. His mother has many friends there. "I always felt so good: 'I know my mom is safe here.' This was her home, and she loved it."

Looking out for neighbors

As fire burned on the other side of the complex Sunday, Anita Watson-Phillips left -- concerned only about her neighbors. Then she showed up Monday morning and learned the fire destroyed her home of 22 years, which she recently remodeled. "I'm just very surprised. (Sunday), I was just worried about my neighbors. I was concerned about my friends. (The fire) was on the other side." She lost everything.

'Everything is gone'

John Graham had no hope of salvaging anything. His condo on the third floor was destroyed. "Everything's gone. I lost a lot of stuff. It was spreading quite fast. I mean, you could see it spreading." He is staying with family and didn't want to let the fire to get him down. "You've got to move on." He couldn't do that right away, though. His Ford Ranger, parked near the building, was covered with ice.

One other survivor

Pamela Patton couldn't watch as fire raged through the Indian Village building, retreating to a nearby store and then to a friend's house overnight. She returned Monday to survey the damage and lament that her cat, Dolly, probably didn't make it, mentioningit to one observer before she left. Andris Visockis later asked a firefighter, Kevin Fox, to check for Patton's pet of eight years. He found it and eventually Dolly and Patton, a freelance writer, were reunited. "It's a miracle. She's the only thing that I know I have left," Patton said. "I can just see her hunkered down and waiting it out."